Secret Settlement Is Disappointing

January 20, 1992|The Morning Call

The people's right to know how their tax dollars are spent got a set back in federal court last week with the secret settlement of a police brutality suit. A Bethlehem man who said two Lower Saucon Township policemen kicked and beat him while handcuffed in June 1990 reached an agreement with the township that called for the terms to remain secret.

The public has an interest in this matter on two counts. First, did the evidence show the officers were out of line? And second, if the township made a payment to the plaintiff, how much taxpayers' money was involved?

This sealed settlement is troubling also because it was approved by U.S. Judge Franklin VanAntwerpen. In February 1991, he refused to seal the terms of a settlement involving a Lehigh University student and the Bethlehem police, and at that time recognized a legitimate public interest when local governments are parties to court suits.

The records in this case may yet be opened. For now, it looks as if Judge VanAntwerpen has retreated from his strong and proper stand of last year.